40D replacement quandary

MrCake · 27 May 2013 at 20:50

My 40D is getting a bit long in the tooth and is suffering from a ropey shutter button and I think it is time to replace it. It has performed fantastically for the 5+ years I have owned it and I am feeling confused what to do.

I tend to shoot Motorsport, wildlife but also family/friend candid snaps.

The 7D seems the natural choice and is down a great price (especially from HK) but I am concerned about how it gets such mixed reviews with criticism of noise and a lack of 'pop' compared to the 40/50D. I know there is the new V2 firmware which may address some of the issues but assume the noise issues are down to the sensor which a firmware update probably won't do much for.

The 5D Mark III would probably be my choice if cost was not an issue but is sadly out of budget.

The 1D Mark III looks quite good and should be a step up from my 40D but means I would need to dabble with the used market and while I understand that the 1D series is designed to be rugged, people seem to treat them particularly badly.

Are there any 7D owners on here who can comment on their experiences with this camera?

I realise the 7D MK2 could be announced this year but will probably have a £1500+ price tag and take a long time to come down to something more sensible.

TLDR: 7D/1D MK3/something else for a 40D replacement.

FreeStream · 27 May 2013 at 21:42

Currently shooting a 7D as main with 40D as backup.

The 7D has better IQ at 1:1 viewing (just) but at least a stop better once cropped to the same as the 40D.

The build quality, but especially the AF on the 7D is just stunning. My 70-200 F4 L IS performs a damn sight better on the 7D than the 40D and for this reason alone I would not touch a 5D/5DII ever.

However, generally the 40D is/was a very good camera and is hard to beat without spending £££.

What budget are you looking at?

For £900ish (seems what used 7Ds are now) I recon it is a good punt...

But as they say, glass is more important than the body! What are you shooting with?

My bodies are teamed with 10-22, 17-55 IS, 70-200 F4 L IS.

MrCake · 27 May 2013 at 21:50

Ideally I am looking at around about the £900 area if possible.

Was it a steep learning curve on the AF front going from the 40D?

I currently shoot with a 24-105 F4, 85 1.8 and 70-200 F4.

Journey · 27 May 2013 at 22:43

Sticking with a crop sensor body would seem obvious if you shoot Motorsport/wildlife, otherwise you will lose a lot of reach on that 70-200.

Maybe you should just hang fire for a couple of months until the 7D II comes out (hopefully), and maybe if it is £1300+ then the 7D's will come down again. Saying that however you can pick one up for £699 new right now, which is a great price.

Andrew_McP · 28 May 2013 at 03:32

I can't offer any useful advice, but I've been having similar thoughts for the last year or so.
There's nothing compelling as a replacement though.

I actually find myself leaning more towards the lower end, feature-rich, cameras at the moment... though I know I'd miss the semi-pro body "feel" (and, I'm sure, focusing speed for those critical shots). That was what sold me the 40D in the first place.

I suspect my indecision is life's way of telling me I don't need a new camera yet, The only feature I occasionally find myself missing is video, and I'm considering buying a decent pocket camera to do that.

-Ad- · 28 May 2013 at 10:12

Sell the 40D and 24-105mm.

Save or find money.

Buy a 5Dmk3 and Sigma 35mm 1.4.

I wouldn't bother getting a 7D, make the jump to FF now. Anyway the 24-105mm on a Crop isn't really wide enough to be honest, and you have the 70-200 for longer stuff. A 35mm paired with your 85mm will be awesome and keep the upgraditis at bay. I made the huge jump to 5Dmk3 on a whim and it's soo worth the extra £1k over the 7D.

Jump once rather than knowing you'll want to jump to FF in the near future, which you will

theheyes · 28 May 2013 at 11:32

He shoots motorsport though? And trade in a general purpose zoom for a prime? I think someone has upgraditis but it's not the OP

-Ad- · 28 May 2013 at 12:01

theheyes said:
He shoots motorsport though? And trade in a general purpose zoom for a prime? I think someone has upgraditis but it's not the OP

I have nothing to upgrade to, bar the 1Dx, so you couldn't be further from the mark.

He shoots motorsport, wildlife and families. The crop factor is good for the longer ranges required, but using something like a 5D3 ith the excellent focusing system will give you better PQ and the ability crop these anyway. I also shoot motorsport (F1 Grand Prix, Hillclimbs, tracks etc) and manage very well with a 300mm L zoom on my 5D3.

Not everything in motorsport requires a crop camera and 300m Prime with 2x TC

Amp34 · 28 May 2013 at 13:17

You don't appear to be to invested in Canon so how about the D7000 or the new D7100. I looked into upgrading my 400D last year and the canon cameras just seemed to be a bit meh compared to the D7000.

Have a look at Nikons lens lineup and see if there is anything missing then think about jumping over. The difference in handling is minimal IMO, especially when you consider you'll have to adjust to a new camera anyway and if you sell your lenses privately and get used lenses on the Nikon side you'll not have many depreciation issues. For the non high end pro (with a dozen lenses and several bodies) the system you're "tied" into really isn't difficult to get out of, it's always worth looking into changing back and forwards.

FreeStream · 28 May 2013 at 13:29

MrCake said:
Ideally I am looking at around about the £900 area if possible.

Was it a steep learning curve on the AF front going from the 40D?

I currently shoot with a 24-105 F4, 85 1.8 and 70-200 F4.

Nope, the larger AF area, selection options etc are all very useful and easy to learn.

It's a very good camera, no debate about that and would match your usage and lenses nicely.

theheyes · 28 May 2013 at 14:19

-Ad- said:
I have nothing to upgrade to, bar the 1Dx, so you couldn't be further from the mark.

He shoots motorsport, wildlife and families. The crop factor is good for the longer ranges required, but using something like a 5D3 ith the excellent focusing system will give you better PQ and the ability crop these anyway. I also shoot motorsport (F1 Grand Prix, Hillclimbs, tracks etc) and manage very well with a 300mm L zoom on my 5D3.

Not everything in motorsport requires a crop camera and 300m Prime with 2x TC

Yes, but you must appreciate that range is a dominating factor if he's shooting motorsport and wildlife. You may manage with a 300mm, but the OP's range tops out at 200mm. Unless you're literally trackside I've found 200mm on a FF is hard work.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I just think it's a curious suggestion that's all given that the benefits over the 7D are a bit of a mixed bag and the OP is budget conscious.

MrCake · 28 May 2013 at 18:34

I also have a 100mm Macro, 12-24 wide, 2 x speedlights and a 1.4tc so am definitely not looking to abandon the Canon ship.

I am also very happy with my 24-105 and would not sell it unless I was swapping it for a 24-70 2.8.

Ironically I did originally come over from Nikon when I was looking for a replacement for my D70 and was disappointed with body choice and a lack of (at the time) affordable F4 lenses.

The 1.3x crop of the 1D does seem to be a nice halfway house but as mentioned in my OP it feels like a bit of a gamble to get a decent one????

Janesy B · 28 May 2013 at 19:58

Might be worth seeing what Canon come up with when they announce the 70D.

I'd stay stick with crop, yes you do get some lovely images from FF however the extra reach crop gives you is handy. I was at Brands Hatch and felt 300mm was a bit short in places even with a crop sensor!